Beverage cooler for leaf-type tables



Jan. 23, 1968 s. P. MERRICK 3,

BEVERAGE COOLER FOR LEAF-'TYPE TABLES Filed May 24, 1967 \L' I 15 I6 2834 4 35 22 2s 20 BRUCE P. MERRICK Wid Patented Jan. 23, 1968 3,364,882 BEVERAGE COQLER FOR LEAF-TYPE TABLES Bruce I. Merrick, 58 NE. th Ave., Hialeah, Fla. 33010 Filed May 24, 1967, Ser. No. 640,997 1 Claim. (Cl. 108-25) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE shoulder.

This invention relates generally to tables and is more particularly directed to a beverage cooler for leaf-type tables.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a leaf-type table with a beverage cooler which can be placed thereon in lieu of a leaf whereby beverage may be maintained in a chilled condition within reach of those using the table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooler for leaf-type tables having a receptacle for clean ice therein whereby beverage in bottles, cans, etc. may be chilled as well as clean ice being made available for mixed drinks and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooler for leaf-type tables with a panel like cover that resembles the leaf replaced by the beverage cooler so that the latter may be retained on the table at all times whether being used or being stored thereon.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a beverage cooler for use primarily on leaf-type tables and which can be readily used on picnics, barbeques and the like.

With these and other objects in view, the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such change or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a leaf-type table showing my beverage cooler in position thereon with its cover panel removed.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of my beverage cooler removed from the table and with the cover panel partially broken away.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the cover panel taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral refers to my beverage cooler shown uncovered and in position on a conventional leaf-type table 11 in FIGURE 1. The table 11 being of conventional structure is not shown in detail and consists of a table top 12 supported on legs 13 with my beverage cooler 10 shown in place of a leaf that would normally have been positioned between the two halves of the table top 12 when an enlarged table is desired.

My beverage cooler 10 consists of a top wall 15 in which there is an opening 16 and a watertight receptacle R attached thereto formed by side walls 17, end walls 18 and a bottom wall 19. The bottom wall 19 is provided with a drain 25 for emptying the receptacle R of water. A plug 26 fastened by a chain 27 to the bottom wall 19 is normally fitted in the drain 25 to contain Water formed by melting ice within the receptacle R until it is desired to evacuate the receptacle R.

About the periphery of the opening 16 in the top wall 15 of the receptacle C there is a pair of shoulders 20 and 21 one above the other. The lower peripheral shoulder 21 supports a container C for clean ice. while the upper shoulder 29 supports a panel 22 which resembles the leaf of the table 11 when in position on the opening as shown by FIGURE 2. The panel 22 is provided with means for readily removing same from the beverage cooler 10 consisting of an unbalanced handle member 28 pivotally mounted as by a hinge 29 in an opening 30 formed at each end of the panel 22. There is a notch 24 formed on each side of the handle member 28 to permit a person to grasp the panel 22 with ones fingers in order to lift the panel 22 from the opening 16.

The clean ice container C is a watertight open top receptacle consisting of side walls 31, end walls 32 and a bottom wall 33. There is flange 36 extending outwardly at the upper edge of the side and end walls 31, 32, which flange 36 resist on the lower peripheral shoulder 21 to support the clean ice container C. A cover 34 provided with a knob-like handle 35 fits over the ice container C. There is sufiicient clearance between the shoulder 20 and 21 to permit the clean ice container C to remain within the receptacle R when the cover or panel 22 is placed over the opening 16. This permits the container C to be stored within receptacle R at all times.

The top wall 15 of my beverage cooler 10 is provided with bores 37 along one edge and dowels 38 along the other edge to be received by aligned dowels and bores respectively in the table top 12 in much the same manner as the leaf that is replaced by my beverage cooler 10 whereby the beverage cooler 10 becomes firmly interengaged by the table top 12.

From the foregoing it is apparent that there is provided herein a beverage cooler which may be placed in a leaf-type table in lieu of one of the leafs so that the beverage being cooled is convenient to those in the vicinity of the table on which food is placed as in the usual sit down meal or bufi'et. In the receptacle R bottle and can beverages are contained along with ice. Within the container C clean ice will be provided for those who desire ice for their drinks. Water resulting from melting ice can be withdrawn from the receptacle R through the drain 25.

When the beverage cooler 10 is not in use, it can be permitted to remain on the table 11 in much the same manner as a leaf of the table by placing the panel cover 22 over the opening 16 with the container C stored within the receptacle R. By merely pivoting the pivoted handle members 28 and grasping the handle members 28 at the notches 24 with ones fingers, the panel cover 22 is lifted out of the opening 16 to uncover the beverage cooler 10 making it ready for use.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Sates is:

1. A beverage cooler for leaf-type tables, comprising a panel having a substantially rectangular opening, depending walls extending from the lower surface of said wall atsaid opening, a bottom wall joining the lower ends of said depending walls forming a watertight receptacle, a drain opening in said bottom wall, a plug removably mounted in said drain opening, peripheral shoulder means mountid in said panel at said opening and a further panel mounted in said opening and supported on said peripheral shoulder whereby said beverage cooler resembles a conventional leaf for said table a further receptacle positioned within said first named receptacle, said further receptacle being open at its top portion, a cover removably positioned at said open top portion and a flange means extending outwardly of said receptacle at said top portion, said rectangular opening of said first named receptacle having a second peripheral shoulder below said first named peripheral shoulder for receiving said flange 15 means and supporting said further receptacle within said first named receptacle.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Zundorfi 108-24 XR Rosenberg 108-24 Langguth 108-26 XR Scharr et al 108-24 XR Crimmel 108-2 6 Galley 103-254 XR Brenny 108-26 XR Day et a1. 10-8-26 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner. G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner. 

